“John Abdell? The guy who owned the cabin that we thought Rene was at before she died?” he asked. The old rundown cabin in her drawing.
Rory knew the guy had died but didn’t think much of it.
“Yeah. He took a tumble down the stairs one day in the apartment he was renting.” Scott shook his head. “At least I think so. Someone else found him, but you know, it never made sense to me.”
“How come?”
“Just didn’t,” Scott said, looking around the room. “What time is it? Missy should be here soon. I should change and get ready for her.”
“She won’t be here for a bit. Tell me why you think something happened to John Abdell,” he said.
“Who? I don’t know anyone by that name.”
A gush of air escaped his lungs. There wouldn’t be anything else to be had at this point. Rory knew that now.
He got a lot more than he thought, but nothing he hadn’t expected.
He’d suspected the investigation was sloppy and it appeared to be intentional. The reason Daniel wanted things rushed could be true. It could be nothing more than a threat to his business dealings.
If Daniel really thought his son did it, he wouldn’t be rushing for an arrest. If anything, he’d want evidence planted and nothing was for Cooper. That case had no legs.
Were Scott’s words accurate? Who the hell knew anything?
He signed out and left. If the McGregors were watching everyone and everything, they’d know he was here. Denning would be just another loose end in their web of lies.
“Did you find anything out?” Gale asked when he answered his phone. He’d sent her a text saying he was leaving and didn’t think she’d call.
“A lot of what I thought but nothing that can be proven.”
“Like what?” she asked.
He filled her in. “John Abdell. Ever hear anything about that?”
“No, but I’ll talk to Ford and see if he can look into it. As you know, a body found will still be reported.”
“Yeah. I’m curious. It all ties together, but I don’t know how. No one thought John had killed my sister. The guy wasn’t that big.”
Barely five foot eight. Only a few inches taller than his sister and maybe sixty pounds more. He’d never have the strength to do what had been done to Rene’s body.
“Do you think John had anything to do with it? He’s been dead for years.”
“I remember John had been interviewed and said that he’d never seen the girl before on his property. That he wasn’t even home at the time. But it was Scott Denning who did the interview and that means nothing now. It’s possible it could have been altered. I’m going on the assumption nothing in Rene’s file is fact.”
“Which makes it harder,” she said.
“So many things back then were corrupt. How did it happen?”
“I’m not sure it was as much as you think,” she said. “Maybe a few, but not everyone. Ford has been there for years. He was a deputy before sheriff. Does some law enforcement look the otherway for what they think is the betterment of the community? Sure. But would they risk their careers? It’s not as easy now.”
“Not like back then. And that is all I care about.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m sorry you didn’t get more.”
“I got enough. It reinforces that the McGregors had something to do with the way the investigation was done.”
“I think you’re right, but again, no concrete facts and Daniel and Kane sure the hell aren’t going to confess to anything.”
“I can try again and see if I push more buttons, but it’s not going to get me anywhere other than more doors shut in my face.”
